Six-minute rowing test: a valid and reliable method for assessing power output in amateur male rowers

Abstract

Background Standardized tests are currently available to assess power output in elite rowers. However, there are no valid and reliable tests to assess power output in amateur rowers. Objective This study aimed to determine the validity and reliability of a 6-min rowing ergometer test (6-min RT ) as a predictor of power output (PO) in amateur male rowers. Methods Twelve male amateur rowers were part of the study. All participants were instructed to perform an incremental test (IT), a 6-min RT test, and a retest. The validity of the 6-min RT was determined by comparing maximum oxygen uptake (VO 2max ) and power output (PO) between the IT and 6-min RT . Reliability included the coefficient of variation (CV), intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC), and mean standard error between the 6-min RT test and retest. The significance level was p < 0.05. Results There was no significant difference in VO 2max in both IT and 6-min RT ( p = 0.18), while the mean power output (P mean ) generated in the 6-min RT equaled 91.96% of the maximal aerobic power (MAP) generated in the IT ( p = 0.004). Reliability analysis for the 6-min RT showed a CV = 0.50% and ICC = 0.97 for distance, a CV = 1.85% and ICC = 0.96 for P mean . Conclusion From a ventilatory and mechanical point of view, the 6-min RT is a maximally valid test for establishing MAP in amateur rowers. Also, the 6-min RT evidences a high degree of agreement between days. Therefore, the 6-min RT is a valid and reliable test for assessing PO in amateur male rowers.